Beaded Earrings with Porcupine Quills

Friday, July 19, 2024
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuition: $72  Materials: $10

*Sliding Scale Tuition Available

There are many different styles of beading. Spend a day at the Ely Folk School learning about and practicing the brick stitch style of beading and make a unique pair of earrings complete with porcupine quill fringe.

The brick stitch beading style has been around so long that no one really knows where it originated from. The oldest beads were naturally made ranging from stones, teeth, bones, shells, and seeds while the strings varied from plants to sinew. Porcupine quills have been used in embroidery and as beads by Native Americans since before contact with Europeans. "One of the earliest examples that archaeologists believe to be woven beads is from an Eurasian Ice Age burial site in Sungir dated to 26,000-23,000 B.C.E. The production of glass beads date back to the 14th century B.C.E. in Egypt." Trade beads have been around since around the 15th century and were used as currency until the 20th century. 

*Students must have good hand dexterity and should have "some" experience working with a needle and thread.

About the Instructor: Alexia Springer is the co-owner of Ely Bike and Kicksled and enjoys teaching classes in outdoor education and a variety of other topics. She personally enjoys participating in various creative outlets including earring making, foraging, basket making, sewing, and mending. Alexia grew up participating in 4-H, specializing in basketry, sand art, and photography as a kid. Alexia has always enjoyed creating in nature and has a degree in Outdoor Education. Many of Alexia's current artistic interests involve some sort of natural element to them. Alexia has a passion for teaching experiential education and loves helping organinze youth classes at the Ely Folk School.